Degree Of Clinical Signs Research Articles

Oxidative Stress in Goats with Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)

Background: Goats in India are endangered by various disease outbreaks. A limited number of disease conditions in goats have been investigated with regard to the effect of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an active field of research implicated in numerous disease processes including sepsis, enteritis, pneumonia, mastitis, joint diseases etc. The present work was undertaken to study the oxidative stress contributing pathological changes in naturally occurring Peste des petits ruminant virus (PPRV) in goats of Jabalpur region. Methods: A total of 30 positive PPR samples (19 plasma and 11 lung tissues) were processed for oxidative stress assessment by oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). The oxidative stress was revealed among 30 PPR positive goats when compared with 10 healthy animals. Necropsy examination was conducted to observed gross pathology and lung tissues were collected for histopathological examination. Result: Oxidative stress was observed with decreased GSH and increased MDA concentration among PPRV positive goats in plasma and in lung tissues respectively. Nineteen PPR positive goats revealed different degree of clinical signs and were devided into three groups viz group I mild, group II moderate and group III severe. Grossly, eleven positive goat carcasses revealed pneumonic lesions. Microscopically, lung sections revealed broncho-interstitial pneumonia. These findings are suggestive of oxidative stress induces pathological changes and lead to dehydration and death of goats.

The Use of Endoscopic Diagnosis in Dogs with Upper Respiratory Diseases with Respect to the Localisation of Pathogens and the Subsequent Therapy

AbstractBacterial diseases of the upper respiratory tract accompanied with various degrees of clinical signs are relatively frequent in a small animal clinical practice. The clinical signs are usually mild, mostly connected with clinical manifestation of nasal discharge, mild dyspnoea, sneezing, and coughing; however, in some cases they may convert to a chronic stage with serious systemic manifestations. The course and development of complications depends on the etiological agent and the success or failure of the subsequent therapy. An accurate diagnosis is of the upmost importance in order to develop an appropriate therapeutic plan for disease management. The present study focused on: endoscopic visualisation of the upper respiratory tract of the affected animals; localisation of pathological changes, and the targeted collection of the samples. This clinical study involved 26 patients with long-term signs of the affected airways that progressed to chronic stages after the failure of the prescribed therapy. Each patient was clinically examined, sedated and subjected to an endoscopic examination that involved the collection of samples. The samples were examined microbiologically, tested for antibiotic resistance, and a targeted therapy was implemented. The endoscopic and complex microbiological diagnosis enabled: more effective management of the bacterial infection; shortening of the therapy; and a convalescence period that reduced the risk of the development, or the spreading of resistant bacteria.

Interaction between avian influenza subtype H9N2 and Newcastle disease virus vaccine strain (LaSota) in chickens

BackgroundH9N2 avian influenza virus is endemic in Egyptian poultry flocks. The role of the live viral vaccines such as LaSota in exaggeration of the clinical picture of H9N2 infection under field conditions is significantly important leading to severe economic losses due to higher mortality and lower growth performance. This experiment was designed to identify the possible interaction between experimental infection with H9N2 virus and NDV live vaccine (LaSota strain) in broiler chickens. Six groups each of 20 broiler chicks were used. Three groups (G1–3) were infected with H9N2 and vaccinated with LaSota, 3 days before, at the same day or 3 days post vaccination (dpv), while the remaining groups (G4–6) were non-vaccinated infected, vaccinated non-infected and non-vaccinated non-infected.ResultsThe highest mortality rate (37.5%) was noticed in chickens of G1 (H9N2 infected 3 days prior LaSota vaccination). Also, this bird group had the most severe clinical signs, histopathological lesions and the longest viral shedding for 9 days post infection (dpi). In the 2nd and 3rd groups, the mortality rate was the similar (31.2%) with less pronounced clinical signs, histopathological lesions and H9N2 shedding was for only 6 dpi with the least shedding quantity in chickens of G3. The control non-vaccinated infected chickens (G4) had 18.7% mortality with the least degree of clinical signs, lesions and the highest viral shedding quantity but only for 6 dpi. At 35 days of age, there was a statistical significant decrease (P < 0.05) in chicken’s body weight of all H9N2 infected groups from G1 to G4 compared to non-infected control groups, G5 and G6 respectively.ConclusionIt was clear that laSota vaccination significantly affect H9N2 infection in broiler chickens regarding clinical signs, mortality rate, lesions, performance and viral shedding.

Pododermatitis in German Shepherd Dogs and its Management

German Shephered dogs of either sex with chronic recurrent pododermatitis with various degrees of clinical signs along with excerbation of pus presented at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical complex, C.V.Sc. and A.H., O.U.A.T. were selected for the present study. The culture and sensitivity test of the skin swab from the lesions of the affected dogs revealed the presence of four bacterial species namely Staphylococcus intermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactia, Micrococcus leuteus with highest sensitivity to antibiotics namely piperacillin+tazobactam, clindamycin, amoxicillin+potassium clavulanate and mupirocin. There was reduced Hb concentration with leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia in the affected animals; however the biochemical parameters of liver and kidney function test remained within the normal value. The treatment was done with piperacillin with tazobactam @ 40 mg/kg intravenously thrice daily for 7 days, clindamycin @ 11 mg/kg body weight twice daily orally for another 7 days continuously along with regular dressing and topical application of mupirocin which brought complete recovery by 21 days and dogs were quite alright with growth of hair at the affected parts by 28th day.

Evaluation of different sampling methods and results of real‐time PCR for detection of feline herpes virus‐1,Chlamydophila felisandMycoplasma felisin cats

To investigate how different sampling techniques affect detection of DNA from feline herpes virus Type 1 (FHV-1), Chlamydophila felis and Mycoplasma felis and to study the correlation between positive test results and clinical signs in cats. Fifty-one cats; 24 with ocular signs and 27 healthy control cats. Samples were collected from all cats using cotton swabs, conjunctival and corneal biopsies, and corneal scrapings. Samples were analyzed for presence of FHV-1, C. felis, M. felis, and feline DNA, defined by 28S rDNA, by using real-time PCR. In affected cats, FHV-1 was detected in only one cat; C. felis and M. felis were not detected in any affected cats. None of the three organisms was detected in any control cats. Feline DNA was demonstrated in all conjunctival samples, in 82% of corneal swabs, 92% of corneal scrapings, and 100% of keratectomy samples. Because of the generally low detection rate for FHV-1, C. felis, and M. felis DNA in this study, differences regarding sampling technique could not be determined and correlation between positive test results and degree of clinical signs could not be made. Detection of feline DNA in most samples irrespective of sampling technique, suggests a low prevalence of FHV-1, C. felis and M. felis in this population of cats.

Complications Related to Surgical Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs

After intervertebral disk surgery we often have to deal with various complications (seizures, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) ulcerations, cystitis, and surgical wound healing problems). These complications may lead to the death of the patient. We performed clinical and laboratory investigations in 161 dogs with an intervertebral disc disease. After that, we performed a cranial (n = 31), caudal (n = 125) or both (n = 5) types of myelography at the same time, and surgery - ventral slot decompression (SLOT) (n = 18) or hemilaminectomy (n = 143). During the postsurgical period we observed seizures, GIT complications, cystitis, and surgical wound healing problems or even death of the patients. These complications appeared to be related to the lesion site, the degree of clinical signs and the type of surgical procedure. In our study we found a higher incidence of seizures after cranial myelography, higher incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications particularly in paraplegic dogs, and a higher risk of death in patients after the SLOT surgery. The occurrence of cystitis was not significant (p = 0.5524, p = 0.1655, respectively). We consider seizures, GI ulcerations, and death the most frequent complications after intervertebral disc surgery. Their incidence depends on the lesion site and the degree of neurologic symptoms.

Hyperviscosity Syndrome in Hematological Diseases and Therapeutic Apheresis

The hyperviscosity syndrome classified into pleiocytosic, sclerotic and sieric syndromes according to the blood components involved are characterized by a different degree of clinical signs and symptoms related to rheological modification of blood. Therapeutic management of these syndromes is complex and the choice of apheresis treatment is generally restricted to emergency episodes in order to overcome the acute phase and to reverse the symptoms until definitive therapy is effective.

Clinicopathologic implications of shortened fermentation periods in the production of toasted cassava granules (gari)

Increased demand for and dependence on toasted cassava granules (gari), and the widespread mechanization of its production has led to shortened periods of fermentation of the cassava mash during processing. The clinicopathologic implications of consumption of gari produced from cassava mash fermented for varied periods was studied. Exclusive diets of gari produced from cassava mash fermented for 0 hr, 24 hrs, 48 hrs, and 72 hrs were fed to different groups of growing male albino rats for a ten week period during which they were observed for clinical abnormalities. The rats were euthanized thereafter, and gross and histopathologic changes in major body organs noted. All the rat groups fed gari manifested varying degrees of clinical signs and histopathologic changes usually associated with chronic cyanide poisoning (CCP) and protein deficiency but the signs and lesions of CCP were most severe in rats fed gari produced from the 24 hour-fermented cassava mash. The findings suggested that shortening the fermentation period of cassava mash to about 24 hours constitutes a health hazard to consumers of gari.

The Acute Phase Protein Serum Amyloid A (SAA) as an Inflammatory Marker in Equine Influenza Virus Infection

The acute phase protein serum amyloid A (SAA) has proven potentially useful as an inflammatory marker in the horse, but the knowledge of SAA responses in viral diseases is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate SAA as a marker for acute equine influenza A2 (H3N8) virus infection. This is a highly contagious, serious condition that inflicts suffering on affected horses and predisposes them to secondary bacterial infections and impaired performance. Seventy horses, suffering from equine influenza, as verified by clinical signs and seroconversion, were sampled in the acute (the first 48 h) and convalescent (days 11-22) stages of the disease, and SAA concentrations were determined. Clinical signs and rectal temperature were recorded. Secondary infections, that could have influenced SAA concentrations, were clinically suspected in 4 horses. SAA concentrations were higher in the acute stage than in the convalescent stage, and there was a statistically positive relationship between acute stage SAA concentrations and clinical signs and between acute stage SAA concentrations and maximal rectal temperature. Horses sampled early in the acute stage had lower SAA concentrations than those sampled later, indicating increasing concentrations during the first 48 h. There was a statistically positive relationship between convalescent SAA concentrations and degree of clinical signs during the disease process. The results of this investigation indicate that equine SAA responds to equine influenza infection by increasing in concentration during the first 48 h of clinical signs and returning to baseline within 11-22 days in uncomplicated cases.

Clinical application of milbemycin D as a prophylactic agent against Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs: reactions in uninfected and infected dogs.

A dose of 1mg/kg or 5mg/kg of milbemycin D, a new prophylactic agent for Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), was given to 201 dogs orally and the reaction was investigated by symptomatic, hematological and biochemical examinations. Dogs were divided into 3 groups: uninfected by heartworm (uninfected group), infected without circulating microfilaria (mf negative group), and infected with circulating mf (mf positive group). The incidence and degree of clinical signs were not clearly different with either dose. Vomiting and arrhythmia, which were noted to show about the same incidence in 3 groups, were seen in a total of 5 (2%) and 22 (11%) dogs, respectively. Body temperature and blood pressure fell slightly, and RBC count, serum total protein concentration, osmolality and sodium concentration were also slightly decreased 3 and/or 6 hr after administration in the uninfected and mf negative groups. Almost all of these changes remained within the normal ranges, and tended to recover 24 hr after administration. No other reactions were seen in the uninfected group. Loss of appetite, pale visible mucous membranes, shock-like reaction and dirofilarial hemoglobinuria (caval syndrome) were noted in a total of 5 (2%), 9 (5%), 9 (5%) and 8 (4%) dogs, respectively, which were seen mainly in the mf positive group. A significant decrease of circulating mf count, rise in body temperature, serum GOT, GPT and ALP activities were also observed 24 hr after administration in the mf positive group. Shock-like reaction was seen in a dog of the mf negative group, but in this case a small number of microfilariae were detected in the liver and lungs on histopathological examination. The effects of dead mf might be involved in the reaction of the mf positive group. From these results, it is considered that clinical application of milbemycin D for uninfected and mf negative dogs presents no risks, but adverse reactions may occur in dogs with microfilaremia.